Omagh's St Patrick's Day celebrations get underway

OMAGH'S St Patrick’s Day Festival gets underway today (Tuesday) from 1pm to 4pm. Delivered by Urban Events NI and sponsored by Arbour and Alpha Housing Associations, Housing for All Shared Housing Programme, this year’s 'Music & Mythology' theme will bring colour, culture and excitement to the town centre.

Entertainment will take place throughout Omagh with a strong line-up of musicians and dancers compered by Stevie King. Visitors can enjoy performances from the Tyrone Trad Super Session, Lewsley School of Irish Dance, Newtownstewart Highland Dancers and Blue Thistle Highland Dancers, along with roaming musicians, Sperrin's Sessions and St Eugene’s Brass and Reed Band will also welcome visitors outside Danske Bank.

A major highlight will be the atmosphere created by the musicians coordinated by Tyrone Trad. On the Courthouse Stage enjoy the recent Battle of the Bands Champions ‘One Too Many’ from 1pm, bringing their distinctive sound to the growing crowds. Building towards the parade, the folk‑punk‑trad powerhouse ‘Pluck Savage’ will deliver a high‑energy performance that promises to lift the excitement across the town. Their dynamic performance will set the perfect tone as the parade gets ready to move off.

Creative workshops supported by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland and the Housing for All Programme have been taking place with community groups including Hospital Road and CKS Youth Groups, Shop Mobility and the African Caribbean Community Network. Facilitated by Streetwise Community Circus and local Artists in Residence Programme, participants have created music and mythology‑inspired props that will be showcased in the parade strengthening local creative capacity and ensuring a truly spectacular visual display.

The St Patrick’s Day Carnival Parade will feature a wide range of community organisations including Ulster Project, Omagh 4th Tyrone Scouts, Together with Solace, CKS Community Centre, FOCUS, Shop Mobility, African Caribbean Community Network, Omagh Pride, Sea Dragon Vikings, local Comhaltas branches, 5Star, Omagh Spires Special Olympics Club and Skyzdalimit. Cookstown Samba Band and Cloughfin Pipe Band Kildress, marking their centenary year, will lead the musical element of the parade. Local organisations and businesses such as Lewsley School of Irish Dance, Hazel Wand Theatre School, Meenagh Recovery, Glendale Limousines and Terex will also take part.

Strule Arts Centre will offer a cultural showcase curated by Dún Uladh Cultural and Heritage Centre, with music, dance, storytelling, family workshops, a Leprechaun Trail and a family film. Old Market Place will feature a working steam engine by Celtic Steamers, folk and bluegrass music and a caricature artist. Hospitality venues throughout the town will be open with themed food and entertainment, and free parking will be available across town centre car parks with additional accessible spaces at the rear of Strule Arts Centre.

An accessible space will be available near the Court House Stage were Sign Language Interpreters will sign the St Patrick’s Day parade. A quiet space is available in Strule Arts Centre meeting room should anyone require some time out. Changing Places facilities are available within Strule Centre.

Traffic diversions will be in place to facilitate the festivities.

For more information on the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in Omagh, visit www.fermanaghomagh.com